The researchers call it the "silver spoon effect": bears born into climate change, they say, can get a headstart in life.

"We hypothesize that warmer temperatures in this ecosystem, especially during late winter and spring, may not be such a bad thing for grizzlies," said study author biologist Scott Nielsen in a press release.

The historic range of grizzly bears were as far as Mexico and even into Mongolia, he noted. "That suggests the species won't likely be limited by rising temperatures which would lengthen the growing season and the time needed to fatten prior to hibernation."

Only some 750 grizzlies still live in the forests of Alberta province, which has classified them as a threatened species.